Admirals make trade and get closer to training camp

The Amherstburg Admirals hosted a cornhole tournament last Friday night at the Columbian Club Hall in McGregor. Earlier in the week, the team also made a trade as they sent Cole Vaillancourt to the Wheatley Sharks in exchange for Madden Drouillard.

There could be some very hard decisions to be made at this year’s Amherstburg Admirals training camp.

The local Provincial Junior Hockey League (Jr. C) club hits the ice in LaSalle Aug. 21 to kick off the season and on paper it looks like it is going to be a tough team to make, especially at the forward position.

Recently Amherstburg made a trade, sending 2005-born forward Cole Vaillancourt to the Wheatley Sharks in exchange for 2006-born Madden Drouillard. 

“Cole requested a trade to his hometown team. I wanted to get Madden my first year here. He played for Essex and had almost a point a game with them. He’s a skilled player that can make plays,” said Admirals’ general manager Andrew Sykes.

In 21 games last year, Vaillancourt had five points. Drouillard, who is no relation to Amherstburg forward Brady Drouillard, had 14 points in 39 games with the Sharks.

Madden Drouillard joins a group of forwards that includes a dozen returnees along with Jr. B standouts Stefan Djordjevic, Brody Gillis and Cale Marontate.

“It’s going to be a very difficult team to make. Eventually we are going to have to tell the guys that yes they are back but it doesn’t mean you can coast through training camp,” said Sykes.

Like most teams, the Addys continue to look for a veteran defenceman who can come in and do the great job of last year’s veterans who have graduated due to age.

“That’s still in the works. There has been some chatting with other GM’s. Teams don’t line up to give you a big defenceman.”

Off the ice the Admirals have added goalie coach Chris Viselli who will work in conjunction with Matt Anthony and on the bench, a new trainer, Liam Devine.

“Both of them have experience,” said Sykes. “Our trainer is friends with assistant coach Jake Archer and head coach Zack Gervais so that will be a seamless transition.”

SLAPSHOTS…The Admirals hosted a very successful cornhole tournament at the Columbian Club in McGregor on Friday night…The PJHL will be short one team this year as the Goderich Flyers are taking a leave of absence.

Admirals make trade and get closer to training camp

By Fred Groves